Syria did not hold any secret negotiations with Israel

An official source in Damascus said the following: "It has become clear that [former Israeli Prime Minister] Netanyahu following his defeat in the Israeli elections has become sorry for losing the chance to reach a peace agreement with Syria during his rule. Therefore, he still has the illusion in certain groundless matters and at the same time trying to escape other matters in the service of his current interests.

"Once he denied that he had certain US and European delegates to the region that he had accepted withdrawal from the Golan until June 4, 1967 border lines, and at other times claims that Syria has agreed to keep Israeli early warning stations in the Golan.

"This is, however, very far from being a real thing, aiming at deceiving public opinion and placing obstacles before Middle East peace. As asserted before, Syria reiterates that at no time did Syrian negotiators meet with Israeli negotiators."

Syria also stressed that it was and is still committed to the obligations reached by the Syrian and Israeli sides under the government of former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, including Israel's withdrawal until June 4, 1967 border line and the principles of security arrangements.